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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Fair Oaks, Virginia
Historical Figures: Silas Casey
Camp near Fair Oaks April 20th
Dear Dollie
What a job I have got before
me to day I got six letters. I had been
worrying for a week about not getting
a letter and now they all came in a heap
and I must answer them all
I wrote you yesterday morning
and shall in consequence be verry
brief I directed to
St Johns Maple
Rapids yesterday but as you tell
me to direct to St Johns I suppose
I must let you know that your
letter was reieved. I hardly wished
you to go to St Johns and can
not bear to have you leave Paul
although I know he will be in good
hands but how he will miss you
cant you keep him with you
do not think of trying to lay up any
thing for if you have any left from
the small pittance I send you
get some good clothes you know I like to see you look well
if you can get your picture taken
I wish you would and send me
again for the one I have is nearly
spoiled and in fact was when
I received it. the varnish could not
have been dry. if there is another
chance I will get mine taken and
send you I learn that Edd is daily
expected home. you should not
have told what I said about
him. although I am not dispased
to take any of it back
I had a letter from Bromis
folks to day they were all well
Addie says she weighs more
than she ever did before (130 lbs
I think) She told me how smart
there boy was. I told them that
Paul had his pants made open
before the same as mens, to show
here there was no deficiencies. shall
we go out there next winter and make
them a visit. but how can I wait
so long without seeing you. perhaps
it may be longer perhaps never
Dewain and myself are tenting together
we get along fist rate althought
there is not quite enough snap and
order about him to suit me
Williams is to the hospital (I guess I told
you yesterday) we had a terrible
scare this morning. Since the Battle
of Fair Oaks when Caseys Division
were drove from there camp they
have been sent to the rear of
us. by some mistake they got
the word that Richmond was
evacuated and the whole division
commenced to fire off there guns which
had been loaded a long while. we
supposed the enemy had broke
through our lines and were attackting
us in our rear. Field officers
were riding in all directions the
different regiments grabbed there guns and
and fell into line. Cavalry and
artillery were up and ready
but the thing was soon explained
and our major now in command
of the regiment who by the way is
a
[ ? ] of a way. told the
commandments of companys to take
charge of there respective companys
and be in readiness to fall in when
Gen Caseys Division again commenced
to fire off there guns Casey is considered
an old Foggy and a poor General
since his surprise on the memorable
Saturday not verry well
have to get a dore of
[ ? ]
occasionally to keep off the shakes
I am tried of writing and shall
not write to may to day but
will soon. there I
[ ? ] I have
my sheet nearly full guess I must
have written a good cal of nonsense
for I was not aware I had written
so much as I had not intended
to write but half a sheet
good night Jim
